COVID-19 and the British Asian Trust

The world is facing an unprecedented global crisis. We at the British Asian Trust understand that everyone throughout the world will be feeling extremely concerned about the health and welfare of family and friends and the broader impact of an increasingly serious and evolving situation.

The work of the British Asian Trust is not immune to this impact. The health and welfare of all people, including the communities we support in South Asia, is our utmost priority, particularly as the next weeks and months unfold. We are working closely with our local partner organisations to continue helping those most in need, with greater flexibility to our funding and greater assistance where needed, so that each one of our beneficiaries is supported in the best way possible at this most testing time.

As an organisation, we are adapting in accordance with government guidelines and watching developments closely in all the countries in which we operate. All staff have been equipped to work from home and self-isolate where necessary and we are doing everything we can to support them all as much as possible, in the UK, India and Pakistan.

We very much appreciate that many of our supporters will be affected by this crisis, both professionally and personally, and it has been extremely touching that so many, despite these challenges, have been in touch with us to offer support.

We have had to cancel some events and reprioritise plans accordingly which has obviously had an impact on the funds we had hoped to raise for our programmes. For some of you, the most important and holy month of Ramadan will be coming shortly and, whilst our event plans have changed, we hope to be able to serve those in need by being able to continue to manage your donations and your Zakat.

We will be publishing more about developments, as we learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting South Asia and how our partners are adapting to equip already vulnerable communities with the further resilience they need.

In the meantime, we wish everyone all safety and good health during this very uncertain period.

Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive, British Asian Trust

23 March 2020.